The next Emma Raducanu or Andy Murray could be in action as eight teams from junior schools battle it out on the courts at Walton Tennis Club this month in a special Elmbridge Schools Tennis Tournament.
The competition is being run by Walton Tennis Club, supported by award-winning developer London Square, which is building a collection of new family homes and apartments next door to the club in Stompond Lane, Walton-on-Thames.
Schools taking part will include year 3 teams, with boys and girls from Cardinal Newman, Notre Dame, Cobham Free School, Ongar Place, Manorcroft Primary School, St Ann's Heath Junior School, and St George's Junior School.
The winners will receive special trophies, a years free membership at the club and runners up will receive three hours of coaching by the club at their schools.
Walton Tennis Club Head Coach Duncan Willitts and Club Chairman Gill Ingman have worked with local schools and London Square to organise the tournament.
Gill Ingman said: "We are keen to encourage new young players to join the club and we are delighted to partner with London Square to offer the chance for schools in the area to come together for a great afternoon of tennis. As a result of the generous support by London Square, children taking part have the opportunity to win membership or coaching.
The club has a thriving junior section, offering coaching courses, which take places indoors during the winter, and throughout the summer, we hold a weekly Junior Club night. Holiday tennis camps for children from ages three to 16 are run. The club is very friendly, with good facilities and we are keen to find new members to join us."
Jo McDonagh, Sales and Marketing Director of London Square, said: “With the tennis club on the doorstep of London Square Walton On Thames, it offers a great facility for our new residents and we are thrilled to be working with Gill Ingman the club chair, and Duncan Willitts, to stage the tournament. When we are building new homes, we like to be part of the local community and work with clubs and groups to support them.”
London Square built a new car park and practice court for Walton Tennis Club, as well as a day nursery, alongside a collection of distinctive and imposing three and four bedroom homes and five bedroom detached family houses, all with private gardens, reflecting the renowned Surrey Arts and Crafts style of architecture. Handsome one and two bedroom apartments are also being created, with attractive tile-hung pitched roofs and Arts and Crafts detail. The first residents have already moved in and the development is now over 85 per cent sold.
Walton Tennis Club is holding an Open Day on Saturday 14th May as part of the LTA's Big Tennis Weekend. For more information, see the Club’s website www.waltontennis.org.uk